U.S. patent number 4,817,224 [Application Number 07/241,455] was granted by the patent office on 1989-04-04 for adjustable doorway ramp apparatus.
Invention is credited to Dale Lockwood, Daniel Visnaw.
United States Patent |
4,817,224 |
Visnaw , et al. |
April 4, 1989 |
Adjustable doorway ramp apparatus
Abstract
An adjustable doorway ramp apparatus is set forth wherein a
doorway ramp is of a triangular wedge member configuration and
includes a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh
ramp associated therewith. The first ramp is positioned at an
uppermost portion of the ramp apparatus and is pivotally mounted in
forwardmost portion thereof with a fourth ramp pivotally mounted
displaceably rearwardly therefrom by a rack and pinion arrangement.
A second ramp is in underlying position to said first ramp and is
of a trapezoidal configuration and releasably securable to a third
ramp of trapezoidal configuration dimension substantially greater
than that of said second ramp. A fifth ramp is positionable between
said first and second ramps to arcuately position said first ramp
relative to said second ramp with a sixth ramp and seventh ramp
slidably mounted within said third ramp for positioning about an
associated door sill.
Inventors: |
Visnaw; Daniel (Garden Grove,
CA), Lockwood; Dale (Tustin, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22910762 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/241,455 |
Filed: |
September 8, 1988 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
14/69.5; 254/88;
52/DIG.10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
69/30 (20130101); Y10S 52/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
69/00 (20060101); B65G 69/28 (20060101); E01D
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;14/69.5,71.3 ;254/88
;193/38,41 ;52/69,641,DIG.10 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Novosad; Stephen J.
Assistant Examiner: Spahn; Gay
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gilden; Leon
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus positionable on a
first level relative to a vertically spaced upper level
comprising,
a first wedge-shaped member including a lower planar face, a rear
planar face orthogonally formed to said lower face, and an upper
surface joining said rear and lower planar faces, and
said first member pivotally joined at an edge, formed by the
junction of the upper surface and the lower planar face, to an
underlying second member wherein the pivotal joining includes a
plurality of hinges secured to said upper surface of said first
member and to an upper surface of said second member, and
a third member underlying said second member and mechanically and
removably secured to said second member, and said second and third
members formed of trapezoidal cross-sectional configurations.
2. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
1 wherein said first member includes a pivotally mounted fourth
member positionable within a cavity of said first member and
movable between a first position interiorly of said first member to
a second position exteriorly of said first member.
3. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
2 wherein said fourth member includes a gear rack cooperative with
a pinion rack wherein said pinion rack is formed on a shaft
coextensive to said fourth member and terminating in a side face of
said first member for access to enable rotation of said pinion.
4. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
3 wherein said second member is mechanically secured to said third
member by a plurality of dovetails integrally formed to said third
member and slidably secured within complementary dovetail recesses
formed through a lower face of said second member.
5. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
4 wherein said third member includes a plurality of coextensive
recesses therethrough of triangular cross-sectional configuration
for slidably receiving therein a like plurality of fifth, sixth,
and seventh triangular wedge members.
6. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
5 wherein said fifth member is positionable between said first
member and said second member for pivotally elevating said first
member relative to said second member.
7. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
6 wherein said sixth member is slidably removable from within said
third member and positionable adjacent a door sill associated with
said vertically spaced upper level.
8. An adjustable wedge-shaped ramp apparatus as set forth in claim
7 wherein said seventh member is slidably removable from said third
member and positionable adjacent said door sill on the opposite
side thereof relative to said sixth member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to ramps, and more particularly
pertains to an adjustable doorway ramp apparatus that is
positionable proximate a doorway with accessory ramps included
therewith for adjustably positioning the various portions of the
ramp apparatus relative to the doorway and sill arrangement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of ramps of various configurations is well known in the
prior art. They are provided in various configurations and shapes
for loading purposes, but are generally of unique organizations not
adaptable for positioning relative to doorways and sills associated
therewith for the traverse of goods therethrough. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 976,666 to Locus sets forth a loading ramp utilizing a
forwardly and rearwardly hinged portion for adjustment of the
forward and rearwardmost portions to accommodate loading of an
associated wagon.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,210,133 to Baker sets forth a loading ramp or skid
wherein an essentially planar portion utilizes a forwardmost
pivoted member with an arcuate forwardmost portion for
accommodating various heights of entrance levels above an
associated surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,262,930 to Diaz sets forth a ramp utilizing a
plurality of pivotally mounted portions thereof for accommodating
entranceways for vehicular traverse therethrough.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,568,303 to Webster sets forth a loading skid
wherein a forwardly and rearwardly mounted portion thereof includes
a plurality of pivoted plates thereon for forward and rearward
adjustment of the ramp orientation relative to loading
surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,752 to Forrest sets forth a plurality of
interhinged loading ramps wherein a forwardmost portion is secured
to a winch to accommodate various loading conditions to load from a
first level to a second level.
As such, it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need for
a new and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which
addresses both the problem of versitility and effectiveness and in
this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this
need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of adjustable ramps now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides an adjustable ramp wherein the same may be
conveniently stored during periods of non-use and readily and
effectively adjusted to accommodate portals of varying heights. As
such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and
improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which has all the
advantages of the prior art adjustable ramps and one of the
disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention comprises a wedge-shaped ramp
formed of subcomponents that are each adjustable to enable
accommodation of movement from one level to another. An uppermost
wedge-shaped element is pivotally mounted to an underlying
trapezoidal member wherein a further trapezoidal member is
removably mounted related to said first noted trapezoidal member. A
plurality of wedge-shaped members are nested within the further
trapezoidal member for positioning about an associated door sill
when utilizing the instant invention in association with a
conventional doorway opening. The first wedge-shaped member is
provided with a rack and pinion to arcuately displace a further
wedge-shaped member rearwardly thereof to accommodate gaps between
a raised level and the invention when the first wedge-shaped member
is pivoted upwardly. Positioning of the first wedge-shaped member
in upward position is accommodated by means of a positioning wedge
positioned between said first wedge-shaped member and said
trapezoidal member.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but
rather in the particular combination of all of them herein
disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in
this particular combination of all of its structures for the
functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is
based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of
other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several
purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which has all the
advantages of the prior art adjustable doorway ramp apparatus and
none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which may be easily and
efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which is of a
durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which is susceptible
of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and
labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of
sale to the consuming public, thereby making such adjustable
doorway ramp apparatus economically available to the buying
public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus which provides
in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the
advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the
disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus wherein the same is
of a generally wedge-shaped configuration and is provided with
subcomponents for accommodating traverse from one level to
another.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of the instant invention.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic view of the instant invention taken along
the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 in the direction indicated by the
arrows.
FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of the instant invention taken along
the line 3--3 of FIG. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrows
further illustrating the first wedge-shaped member in a raised
orientation.
FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the invention illustrating the
further wedge-shaped member positioned within the first
wedge-shaped member.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic view of the instant invention in
association with a conventional doorway opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to
5 thereof, a new and improved adjustable doorway ramp apparatus
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be
described.
More specifically, it will be noted that the adjustable doorway
ramp apparatus 10 essentially comprises a top or first wedge-shaped
member 11 pivotally secured and overlying a second member 12 of
trapezoidal configuration. The second member 12 is mechanically
secured to a third member 13, also of a trapezoidal cross-sectional
configuration somewhat greater than that of second member 12.
Pivotally mounted through a rear face of the first member 11 is a
fourth member 14 of generally triangular cross-sectional
configuration mounted to an interior cavity of the first wedge
member 11. A fifth member 15 of triangular cross-sectional
configuration, as well as a sixth member 16 and a seventh member 17
also of triangular cross-sectional configuration, are mounted and
positioned when not in use within complementary cavities formed
within the third member 13. A plurality of hinges 20 mounted to
upper surfaces 18 and 19 to respective members 11 and 12 enable the
pivotal relationship of the first member 11 to the second member
12.
The lower planar face 21 of the first wedge member 11 is of a
complementary planar shape to the upper face 28 of the second
member 12. Rear planar face 22 of the first member 11 is
orthogonally formed relative to the lower face 21 wherein fifth
member 15 is removable from its respective complementary cavity
coextensively formed within the third member 13 and positionable,
as illustrated in FIG. 3, between the lower face 21 of the first
member and upper surface 28 of the second member to pivotally
orient the first member 11 to accommodate variations in height of a
level proximate a door opening "D", as illustrated in FIG. 5.
The fourth member 14 is pivotally mounted within a complementary
recess formed through the rear planar face 22 of the first member
11 including a coextensive piano-type hinge 23 secured to the
fourth member 14 and the first member 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 3
and 4. A shaft 24 is rotatably mounted within the first member 11
and terminates at a first end interiorly of the first member 11
with a pinion 25 cooperating with a rack 26 integrally secured to
the fourth member 14 whereby upon rotation by access to a recessed
drive face 27 terminating in a second end of the shaft 24, the
rotation of pinion 25 relative to rack 26 pivots the fourth member
14 exteriorly of the rear face 22 of the first member 11 to
accommodate a gap created by the upward pivoting of the first
member 11 by use of the aforenoted fifth member 15.
The third member 13 is selectively mounted to the second member 12
by a plurality of dovetail projections 31 projecting upwardly of an
upper surface of the third member 13 cooperating within
complementary and coextensive dovetail recesses 29 formed within
the lower face 30 of the second member 12.
Reference to FIG. 5 illustrates the use of the sixth and seventh
members 16 and 17 respectively of the triangular wedge member
configuration and removable from the respective recesses 34 and 35
of the third member 13 and positionable about a door sill "S", as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
In this manner, accommodation of abrupt elevational changes by use
of the instant invention is available and enables a convenient
transport of items along the respective upper slanted surfaces of
the various members and when not in use, enables storage of the
accessory wedge members 14, 15, 16, and 17.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description and
accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage
and operation of the instant invention will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
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